NEW REPORT: WORLD BANK MISSING ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS Climate change meeting to start in London

LONDON (UK) / WASHINGTON DC (US) -- The World Bank is failing to play an effective leadership role on climate change and renewable energy, a new report from Friends of the Earth US reveals.

The report is launched today (November 1, 2005) as G8 countries meet in London for a high-level dialogue on climate change and clean energy.

“Power Failure: How the World Bank is Failing to Adequately Finance Renewable Energy for Development,” questions the central role that the World Bank claims it wants to play by financing renewable energy globally.

“Renewable energy projects provide a tremendous opportunity to curb climate change, while also promoting development and addressing poverty. But the World Bank’s portrayal of itself as a key leader on renewable energy globally is seriously misleading,” said David Waskow, International Program Director of Friends of the Earth US in Washington. “The London meeting should not be another opportunity for governments and the World Bank just to talk. We need serious outcomes in real negotiations, not just more hot air.”

The report finds that the World Bank, despite being tapped by the G8 countries to develop a framework for financing renewable energy sources, fell far short of its own target for increasing financial support for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Bank increased funding by only 7 percent, or $14 million, in fiscal year 2005 – less than half its announced target of a 20 percent increase annually over the next five years.

The renewable and efficiency financing by the World Bank for fiscal year 2005 represents only 9 percent of all the Bank’s financing in the energy sector. Meanwhile, the Bank continues to finance fossil fuel pipelines and is making a move back into destructive large dams for energy generation in developing countries.

“The Bank will have to make immediate and aggressive changes to dramatically increase its renewable energy and energy efficiency lending, said one of the authors of the report, Elizabeth Bast, of Friends of the Earth US. “The Bank needs to act now if it hopes to have any impact on climate change before it is too late for developing countries."

Renewable energy like wind power, small hydropower, and solar power, combined with aggressive energy efficiency strategies, can dramatically cut emissions of greenhouse gases that lead to climate change. Renewable energy can provide electricity to those without access, helping to alleviate poverty.

“The dialogue that will begin in London on November 1 could play a crucial role in building confidence in the run up to official UN climate talks in Montreal, where some strong outcomes are needed,” said Catherine Pearce, Climate Change Campaign Coordinator of Friends of the Earth International in London. “But this dialogue is not an alternative negotiating track and cannot replace official meetings, real commitments and the urgent need for genuine action to tackle climate change.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

In Washington DC (US):

David Waskow, Friends of the Earth +1 202-222-0716 or email dwaskow@foe.org Elizabeth Bast, Friends of the Earth US +1 202-222-0719 or email ebast@foe.org

Announced at the G8 Summit in July, the November 1 London gathering is the first meeting of the Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development. Twenty countries, including all G8 countries will gather in London on November 1 to discuss promoting clean energy. The UK as G8 President will chair. The Dialogue group is due to report back during the G8 summit hosted by Japan in 2008.